The Gonzaga Bulletin

Issue date: 9/9/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Lara Thompson-Kravik Raymond Reyes, associate vice president for diversity, looks on as a speaker addresses the crowd at Wednesday´s speak-out. The speak-out was prompted by a bias incident that occurred Aug. 30.

Students, faculty, administrators and community members joined to stage a speak-out Wednesday evening on the Crosby Student Center steps in response to a race-related incident on campus. The impromptu gathering was organized after some students felt that there was a lack of a significant response from the University.

The bias incident occurred Aug. 30 when a noose was found around the neck of a Native American statue outside the Schoenberg Building, which houses the School of Professional Studies.

"I'm angry that this has happened and people are still not doing anything about it," junior Greena George said. "(Gonzaga is) supposed to be a coalition between the Native Americans and the Jesuits. It angers me that all I got was an e-mail."

In an e-mail sent Sept. 2, Vice President for Student Life Sue Weitz wrote: "Acts and incidents of this nature, while directed at a particular population or individual, assault the dignity of every person.  Gonzaga University is a caring and inclusive community where diversity is honored and respected.  We must respond to all acts of prejudice and bias by reaffirming our commitment to support those directly impacted, educating our community about the value of diversity and taking actions which demonstrate the principles of our institutional mission."

Sophomore Michael Gleason began the rally by voicing his concern regarding fear of speaking out about such issues.

"Students are frightened to speak out. They're frightened about what's going to happen to them, we have to do something about that," Gleason said.

Gleason said that this particular instance affects every marginalized population on campus, not just the Native-American population.

"The idea of hate isn't exclusive," Gleason said. "It pushes out everyone. We need to make sure there's a place for everyone at the table."

Associate Vice President for Diversity Raymond Reyes said that this should be seen as a learning experience.

"When all things are said and done, this is the real classroom isn't it," Reyes said.

A range of emotions from anger to fear and sadness poured out as students shared their thoughts and feelings in front of the crowd.

"It is entirely unacceptable," sophomore Amber Gladney said. "This was done to hurt, to scare, and this was done blatantly. This is hate."

In response to the incident, Gleason and Ray Lader, a senior, have created the Schoenberg petition. The petition outlines an action plan for bias incidents occurring at the University. Gleason and Lader hope that the petition will not only ensure proper action be taken in the event of future bias incidents, but that it will also help prevent problems.

Its purpose is "to bring about change and improve student safety," Lader said.

Students, parents, faculty and administrators will have the opportunity to sign the petition, which will then be presented to the University.

The president of the Black Student Union, senior Marcell Gonzales, commended those attending the speak-out and the progress made over the past year.

"Last year this never would have happened," Gonzales said. "People would have just walked away."

Following the rally, the group followed in a procession to the Schoenberg statue where a prayer service was held.

Breanna Caldwell, senior staff writer, conributed to this report.

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